Automobile lock



O. S. HERSHEY Aug. 5, 1930.

AUTOMOBILE LOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 menfofy: @ff/Mmf/@/ie Filed 001:.

Aug. 5, 1930.

O. S. HERSHEY AUTOMOBILE LOCK `Patented' Aug. 5, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE ORVILLE S. HERSHEY,JOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, :BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO OAKES PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF NORTI-I CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F MICHIGAN AUTOMOBILE LOCK Application filed October 26, 1928." Serial No. 315,125.

This invention which relates to a lock adapted particularly for automobiles, is concerned primarily with certain improvements in the direction of Vsimplicity in construction, with aconsequent reduction in manufacturing cost. With such a lock I may associate an electrical'switch adapted toy control the motor ignition circuit, for example. The lock herein shown is of the two stage type in that the switch and bolt are sequentially operated, it being impossible to advance the bolt until after the switch is opened, and vice versa.y Y

A suggestive embodiment of this invention is set forth in the accompanying drawings in -the manner following:

Figure l which is a vertical section through the dash or instrument board of an automobile shows connected therewith in side elevation the lock body which supportsv the usual steering column;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the column on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and shows in elevation the lock body face which is turned toward the operator; f

Fig. 3 is a longitudinalsection taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. @is a similar view showing the bolt advanced to locking position;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the lock body and column on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6-is a longitudinal section on line 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is atransverse section through the column at a point below the lock body, looking in the direction of the latter so as to show its under face in elevation;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail in section on line 9 9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a similar view with vthe parts moved to other positions;

Fig. 11 ,is a view in perspective of the block forming part of the electrical switch shown in Figs. 6 and 8;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view through the switch taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 6; and Fig. 13 is a similar view with one component of the switch moved to circuitfbrealring position.

. The present lock comprises a body A through which is extended the steering column B of an automobile. As by means of a pivoted bracket 25 which is connected to the dash or instrument board C vthe lock body may be supported in a fixed position. The column itself may be frictionally clamped within the body, thereby deriving the support necessary for Vits service under all operating conditions. Throughthe column is eX- tended the usual steering post'l) which carf ries at its upper end the steering wheel (not shown).

l The form of the present lock body is such as to provide a clamping collar 26 which extends rearwardly beneath the column. The operating mechanism is positioned entirely upon thev opposite column side within a' slot-ted chamberA 27 that is provided within the body. T his chamber need not be of any appreciable size, only large enough to accommodate .a crescent-shaped flat bolt 28 which is pivoted at one end to a cross pinl 29. This bolt is urged to swing forward by a spring 30 which yin the form shown consists of a leaf doubled upon itself ,so as to be coniinedin place between the body wall and the outer orlconveX `face of thebolt. The free or acting bolt end 31 is adapted to swing through a slot 32 in the column so as to enter a slot or'socketBS which isformed in a bushing 34 having a fast mounting onthe steering post D. Vhen advancedto theposition of Fig. 4, the'bolt serves effectively to interfere with steering .movements of the post, and it is only when the bolt is maintained in a retracted position againstthe tension of the spring 30 that the steering mechanismlmay be operated.

A control is exercised over the locking bolt by means of a rock shaft 35.1nounted in a yhorizontal cross bore which intersects the bolt chamber 27, the yshaft beingadapted to vtit within the hollow or concave face of the bolt when the4 latter is' fully retracted (see Fig. 3)

In the planevofy this bolt the shaft is cammed vat 36 so that when rotated Athrough 180 to the position of Fig. 4 the cam is retracted Vto permit advancement of the bolt in response to f the tension of the spring 30. Actuation of the rock shaft is effected through the niedium of a key 3.7 which operates a cylinder lock 33 having a connection with one end of the shaft.

Extending through the loch body between its upper and rear faces and in partial intersection with the roel; shaft is a rod 40. At its upper end the rod carries an operating head 41 by which it may be conveniently rotated. In order that the rock sha t and rod may clear each other while remaining in Vintersecting relation, I provide in these two 'parts arc-shaped surface cuts 42 and 43, respectively, (see Figs. 9 and 10) which provide in effect a pair Vof independently7 acting cams. By turning the rod so as to face its cut 43 directly toward the rock shaft the latter' is free to be rotated; and when the rock shaft is turned, so that its cut 42 is away from the rod the latter is locked againstl rotation. The locked position of the rock shaft is shown in Figs. 5 and 9, the bolt in such circumstances being maintained in a retracted position. lVith the parts so related only the rod can be rotated. A. reverse situation obtains, however, after the rock shaft has been turned to permit advancement of the locking bolt. In this condition of the parts (see F ig. 10), the rod is locked, and movement may not be imparted thereto until the rock shaft has returned to the position first noted where the bolt has freed the steering post for operation.

Near the lower end of the rod 40 is carried Y*an annulus 45 having a bearing against the Vinner end of a small chamber 46 formed by a short enlargement of the bore through which the rod is extended. At its extremity the rod is somewhat reduced and slotted diagonally at 47 to receive frictionally or otherwise a cross pin 48 which is extended through the socketed end of an insulated bloclr 49 forming one component of an electrical switch which may conveniently be associated with the lock mechanism hereinbefore described. rl`his block also is traversed by a conductor which may talre the form of a rivet 50 having at its opposite ends rounded heads 51 protruding somewhat from the adjacent faces of the block. By the pin and slot connection between the block and operating rod 40, l provide for ready attachment and detachment of the fermer and for a positive rotation thereof whenever the operating rod is turned. The rod extremity being receivable within the soclreted end of the block, the one part is steadied and supported by the other in a desirable manner.

I The block 49 which constitutes the movable component of the switch illustrated in Figs. 11,12 and 13, is associated with a fixed or stationary component thereof. As shown this comprisesV an insulated body 52 having 'a recess extending inwardly from one face to provide an elongated chamber 53. The switch body may be detachably connected to the under face of the lock body with the aid of bolts or screws 54, the open side of the chamber being faced toward the lock body which provides a closure therefor. 1Within the chamber is the block whose mounting on the pin end is such as to project it the requisite distance for this purpose. rllhe walls of the switch body adjacent the chamber therein furnish mountings for a pair of brushes 55 arranged on opposite sides of the block. These brushes are maintained yieldingly with pressure against the block, and for this purpose supplementary means, such as springs 56 may optionally be Vprovided. Joined to each brush isa post 57 which extends from the switch body to receive upon its screw-threadecl endr a binding nut of the usual kind. The two brushes are adapted to be interposed in an electrical circuit, and to break same when the ilow of current is interrupted between them. This condition is brought about when the block is turned to the position of F ig. 13 wherein the conductor is rotated away from contact with both brushes. rlhe closed position of the switch which is illustrated in F ig. l2 is arrived at when the block iseturned to present the opposite ends of the conductor in contact with both brushes. These movements of the block which proceed through 90 are accomplishedl by rotating the rod 40 through manipulation of its operating head 41, and can be executed only when the interlock between this rod and the rock shaft is broken according to the procedure already described.

r.The present lock structure is advantageous because of its simplicity, compactness, the protection which it affords to the operating parts, etc. It provides also by novel means for a sequential operation ofthe lock and switch controls--a feature which 'is highly desirable in automobile locks of this general lind. My invention may be variously embodied so that for a determination of the metes and bounds thereof reference should be had to the appended claims.

l claim: l

1. ln an automobile loclz having a body, the combination with a steering post of a bolt, a rotatable control therefor, a switch, a rotatable control for the switch, and interengaging means on the two control means "l within the loclr body adapted toV compel a sequential operation thereof.

2. ln an automobile lock, the combination with a steering post of a swinging bolt, a switch, and separate control means for the bolt and switch interacting to compel a sequential operation thereof.

3. ln an automobile lock, the combination with a steering post of a swinging bolt, a rotatable switch, and separate control-means iso for the bolt and switch interacting to compel a sequential operation thereof.

4. In an automobile lock, the combination With a steering post of a bolt, a switch, and independent controls therefor in partial ntersection each adapted to control the movements of the other.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of October, 1928.

ORVILLE S. HERSHEY. 

